Safety-valve.



F. R. PARKER.

SAFETY VALVE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18, 1009. RENEWED JAN. 8. 1914.

1 10 10 Patented Aug. 4, 191

(III/11114101011104 .LMLI" $1 WITNESSES. INVENTOR.

THE NORRIS FITERS CO" PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D, C, v

'UNIE STATES PATENT \OFFIfiE.

FREDERICK.R. PARKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SAFETY-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 18, 1909, Serial No. 518,306. RenewedJanuary 8, 1914. Serial No. 811,100.

lowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating same.

My invention ling the flow of relates to valves for controlfluid, eitherliquid or gaseous, and has for one of its principal objects theprovision of improved mechamsm whereby a reduction of the pressure ofthe fluid to zero or to any predetermined value causes the automaticoperation of the valve, preferably closing the valve.

Another object is to provide improved valve-operating mechanism of thecharacter hereinafter set forth.

Another object is to automatic pressure-controlled valve which iscapable of manual operation at all times.

Another object is to provide an improved thumb leaf, or the like, forvalves of the character herein set forth, which, when accidentallystruck, tends to act against operating the valve; the thumb leaf at thesame time permitting of certain accidental operation thereof, to protectthe mechanism from injury.

Another object is to provide improved means for causing the fluidpressure to control a diaphragm, and improved means whereby thediaphragm automatically controls the valve-operating mechanism.

Another object is to provide improved means for adjusting thevalve-operating s1')ring mechanism in a valve of the characterhereinafter set forth.

Another object is to provide simplicity, durability, and efficiency insuch valves.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In thedrawings, illustrating one form of my invention, Figure 1 is across-sectional view of a certain type of the improved valve of thisinvention, showing the interior construction thereof, with portionsshown in elevation; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the valve of Fig. 1; Fig.8 is an elevation of a portion of the valve casing shown in Fig.

1; and Fig. lis a plan view of a portion of the valve-operatingmechanism shown in Fig. 1.

provide an improved Like characters refer to like parts in the severalfigures.

It is well known that with ordinary gas valves a reduction of the gaspressure to zero while the valve is open and the gas is ilighted, causesthe light to be extinguished; and that if the gas pressure comes onagain after the light has been extinguished in this manner the gas willescape from the open gas jet into the surrounding space. Such acondition is very dangerous to life and property and is one which has tobe constantly contended with. Many are the fatalities caused by justsuch conditions.

In this present invention I have provided means for entirely eliminatingthe above: mentioned dangerous condition, and have provided a valvethrough which the escape of gas is impossible after the gas pressure hasbeen reduced sufliciently to extinguish the light, or reduced to adangerous degree. This and other improvements, as well as variousmodifications thereof, are what are contem 'ilatcd in this invention.The value of such improvements can be readily seen, and readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of one form of myinvention.

In this invention I cause the pressure of the fluid which is controlledby the valve, to control mechanism which automatically holds the valveopen after being suitably opened, and arrange this mechanism so that itwill automatically close the valve when the fluid pressure (or a portionthereof) is removed therefrom. I also preferably arrange this mechanismso that it is capable of manual operation, independently of theautomatic operation caused by the fluid pres sure. Thus it will be seenthat the valveope 'ating mechanism is capable of a double usage, amanual operation and an automatic operation.

By reference to the accompanying drawings, 1 is the valve casing whichis provided with an inlet passage 2 and an outlet passage 3.

4: is the valve plug which is preferably provided with a ground taperedportion 5 adapted to fit in a ground tapered plug seat 6 in the :asing 1as shown. The tapered plug seat 6 has an opening 7 extending' whenseated in its seat, to prevent the flow of fluid through the valve. Theplug 4 is provided with a hole 9 extending longitudinally therethrough,and a hole 10 extending transversely therethrough and intersecting thehole 9. It will now be readily seen that when the plug 4 is raised fromits seat 6- as shown in dotted lines at 11, and turned so that the hole10 is in alineinent with the hole 3, the passage through the valve willbe opened so as to permit the flow of fluid therethrough.

F or manually operating the valve plug 4 I provide a pair of arms 12 12loosely pivoted to a supporting cross bar 14 at 13 13, the lower ends ofthe arms 12 12 preferably lapping over each other as shown at 15 toprovide a suitable thumb leaf. The cross bar 14 is carried by the plug4, being preferably screwed thereon as shown and held against furtherturning thereon preferably by a set-screw 16. The upper ends 21 21 ofthe arms 12 12 are adapted to be turned around in the annular recesses17 and 18 in the casing 1. The recesses 17 and 18 are preferablyconnected together by a pair of passageways 1.9 in the annularprojection 20 which separates the recesses 17 and 18, to permit theupper ends 21 21 of the arms 12 12 to pass from one of the said recesses17 18 to the other when the arms 12 12 are turned to a positionapproximately around 90 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 1. Tothe lower end of the plug 4 I attach a member 22 carrying a flexiblediaphragm 23 and forming the wall of a chamber 24 into which the hole 9through the plug 4 opens. The diaphragm 23 may be secured to the wallmember 22 in any suitable manner, preferably by forming the edge of thewall member 22 over as shown, tightly against the diaphragm 23, andsealing the joint between the wall member 22 and the diaphragm 23 bysome suitable sealing material. The wall member 22 is preferably screwedonto the end of the plug 4, against the cross bar 14, and may, ifdesired, form a lock nut for the bar 14 to prevent it from turning.Loosely pivoted to the respective arms 12 12 at 25 25 are a pair oflinks 26 26, these links being loosely pivoted together as at 27. henthe diaphragm 23 is forced outwardly to the position 28 shown in dottedlines, preferably against the links 26 26, the latter are held in theirfull-line positions 26 26, so as to hold the arms 12 12 in theirfull-line positions and thus hold the ends 21 21 of the arms 12 12 inone or the other of the annular recesses 17 18. If the links 26 26 aremoved to their dotted-line position 29, the lower portions of the arms12 12 will be drawn inwardly so as to move the upper ends 21 21 of thearms 12 12 outwardly, out of the annular recess 17 or 18.

Around the portion 8 of the plug 4 are spring acting on the plunger 4,if desired,

.jection 20 in the annular recess 18, as shown at 36 36 in Fig. 1. Thusit will be seen that the spring 32 makes a plunger out of the plug 4. 1preferably inclose the spring 32 by a casing 33 to protect it, thecasing 33 8t) slidingm a recess 34 in the valve casing 1 when the plug 4is raised from or lowered into its seat 6. I wish it tobe understoodthat I can readily adjust the tension of the by a suitable nut screwedonto the plunger 4 against the action of the spring 32. The

cross bar 14 may, if desired, serve as this adjusting nut. @ver theupper end of the plug 4 I preferably place a cap nut 35 which may beremoved to permit of removing the plug 4 from, or placing it into thecasing 1.

For operating the diaphragm 23 I preferably use the iluid pressure inthe pipe leading to the valve inlet passage 2. Normally the diaphragm ispreferably in the retracted position 23, but when the plug 4 is raisedfrom its seat 6 the fluid pressure is transmitted from the inlet pipe(not shown) through the inlet passage 2 and the hole 9 in the 100 plug 4to the chamber 24 and the diaphragm 23, thus forcing the latter out tothe position 28 and thereby holding the links 26 in their lowerfull-line position and consequently the ends 21 21 of the arms 12 12 in108 the annular recess 18, provided the Y are not directly over thepassageways 19. Thus it will be seen that the fluid pressure acting onthe diaphragm 23 holds the plug or plunger 4 in its raised position, outof its seat 6. The plug 4 will be held in this raised position whetherit is turned to fully open the valve passage or not, the outlet passage3 being preferably small enough, in comparison with the inlet passage 2and. the hole 9, to not materially reduce the fluid pressure in the hole9 and the chamber 24 when fully opened. Now if by any means the pressureof the fluid in the inlet pipe becomes reduced, the fluid pressure inthe chamber 24. will be correspondingly reduced. Therefore, if thepressure of the fluid in the inlet pipe becomes reduced sufliciently,either to Zero or to any predetermined value, there will be nothing tohold the diaphragm 23 in the position 28 against the action of thespring 32 which tends to seat the plug 4 and thereby force the ends 2121 of the arms 12 12 outwardly from their positions 36 3G in the r cess18, over the beveled surfaces 37 37 of .valve 1 preferably cross theportions 38 38 the annular projection 20 to their positions 21 21 shownin Fig. 1, in the meantime the links 26 26 moving to their position 29as the ends 21 21 of the arms 12 12 slide over the beveled surfaces 3737, thereby forcing the diaphragnn 23 inwardly to its full-lineposition. This, then, is the operation that automatically takes placewhen the fluid pressure is sufficiently reduced. As soon as the valvehas been automatically closed as just described, the links 26 26 and thearms 12 12 again take their full-line positions shown in Fig. 1, due tothe weight of the portions 38 38 of the arms 12 12, and the weight ofthe links 26 26, all of which tend to move the ends 21 21 of the arms 1212 inwardly. If desired, however, suitable spring mechanism may beemployed to normally hold the end portions 21 21 of the arms 12 12inwardly. Thus it will be seen that the plug 4. cannot be again raisedfrom its seat until the arms 12 12 are turned so that the portions 2121. may pass through the passageways 19 to the recess 18.

To prevent accidental opening of the over each other as shown, the outeredge 39 of each portion 38 forming a protection or shield for thecorresponding edge 10 of the opposite arm 12. This preventsaccidentalstriking of the edges of the thumb leaf 1:") from tending to open thevalve, as the striking of either edge portion 39 tends to throw the end21 of the same arm 12 inwardly, instead ozt outwardly as would be thecase it the portions 38 38 were not crossed over. This crossing-over ofthe portions 38 38 also provides a thumb leaf 15 the grasp of whichtends to hold the arms 12 12 in the fulldine positions shown in Fig. 1,relatively to the plunger 41, while the valve is being manuallyoperated.

The valve may be manually opened by turning the arms 12 12 so that theportions 21. 21 thereof may pass through the passageways 19, thenraising the arms 12 12 with the plug -11 so that the portions 21. 21pass through the passageways 1.9 from the recess 17 to the recess 18,and then turning the arms 12 12 with the plug 4: to regnlatethe outletpassage from the hole 10 to the hole 3 as desired. It will be readilyunderstood that the outlet passage may be manually regulated to reducethe flow of fluid through the valve as much as desired without thepressare-controlled mechanism causing the valve to automatically close,as the pressure, remaining practically the same, acts continually duringsuch manual regulation to lock the valve plug against being seated. If,however, the arms 1212 are turned so that the portions 21 21 may passthrough the passageways 19 from the recess 18 to the recess 17, thespring "32 will automatically seat the valve plug or plunger l. \Vhenthe plug parts because they yield to the force instead of breal'cing asthey might it not capable of being turned. Thus it will be seen that thevalve is capable of manual operation and regulation independently of theautomatic operation caused by a variation of the fluid pressure, but ina manner dependentiupon the fluid pressure. If there is practically nofluid pressure in the inlet pipe to the valve, the valve will not remainopen after being manually opened, but it there is such fluid pressurethe valve will remain open when opened. If, however, while the valve isopen, or the plug t is raised from its seat,

the fluid pressure decreases sulliciently, the plug l will beautomatically seated, thus tightly closing the valve.

After the valve has been manually closed the diaphragm 23 will remain inthe extended position 28 it there no escape for the fluid from the holes10 10 along the bore 7 to either the opening 31 or the outlet passage 3,but it there is such an escape the diaphragm may take the retractedposition 23 due to the decrease of pressure in the hole 9 and chamber24-. The position of the diaphragm 23 at this time is, however,immaterial in the form of valve illustrated, be :ause the weight of theparts 38 38 2(3 26 holds the ends 21 21. of the arms 12 12 in wardly asshown in Fig. 1, so that the valve rannot he accidentally opened.

I wish it to be understood that the spring 32 may be adjusted so as toautminitically close the valve at any predetermined fluid pressure, orat zero pressure. R will be readily seenthat with the form of link jointused between the pivots 25 25, a very slight pressure on the diaphragm23 may be made to hold the valve open. It will be readily seen that bysuitably proportioning the arious parts of the apparatus, the extent ofoperation of the arms 12 12 may be varied as desired. ()1? course thediaj'ihragm may be made of various suitable materials, and the size ofsame proportioned to give the required el'l'ect. I also wish it to beunderstood that this invention may be used with various types, stylesand sizes of valves, and in various modes of application.

I do not wish to limit this invention to the exact constrm-tion,arrangement, or various details herein shown, as various modificationsthereof may be made or utilized without departing from the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A valve having a plug normally seated in a seat, means for manuallyraising the plug from its seat, a diaphragm carried by the plug, thelatter having a passage there- &

through to the diaphragm whereby the diaphragm is connected with theinlet passage of the valve when the plug is unseated, mechanism undercontrol of the diaphragm for holding the plug out of its seat, andspring mechanism tending to seat the plug, a diminution of the fluidpressure causing the diaphragm to permit the said spring mechanism toautoi'natically seat the plug.

2. A valve having a plug and a seat therefor, means whereby the plug maybe raised from its seat and turned to control the valve passage, a pairof arms for holding the plug out of its seat, a coil spring surroundingthe plug and tending to seat same, a diaphragm carried by one end of theplug, the latter having a passage longitudinally therethrough wherebythe diaphragm is con nected with the inlet passage of the valve when theplug is unseated, and mechanism under control of the diaphragm wherebythe said arms are held against operation when the plug is out of itsseat, whereby the plug is held out of its seat, a diminution of thefluid pressure causing the diaphragm to permit of operation of themechanism under its control whereby the said spring automatically seatsthe plug.

In a valve having a plug and a seat therefor, a pair of pivoted arms forholding the plug out of its seat, the ends of the arms being crossedover past each other whereby accidental striking thereof acts againstopera-ting them.

4.. In a valve of the character specified, valve-controlling mechanismcomprising a pair of pivoted arms, the said arms being crossed over eachother whereby accidental striking thereof acts against operating them.

In a valve having a plug and a seat therefor, and means operable forunseating the plug and then turning it to control the valve passage,pressure-controllable mechanism for holding the plug out of its seat,and spring-controlled mechanism tending to seat the plug, a diminutionof the controlling pressure permitting the plug to be automaticallyseated.

(3. In a valve having a plug and a seat therefor, and means operable forunseating the plug and then turning it to control the valve passage, apressure-controllable diaphragm and mechanism under control thereof forholding the plug out of its seat, and spring-controlled mechanismtending to seat the plug, a diminution of the controlling pressurepermitting the plug to be auto matically seated.

7. In a valve of the character specified having a plug adapted to begiven a plu rality of operations of different characters to control thevalve passage, a pressure-controllable diaphragm and mechanism undercontrol thereof for automatically giving the said plug one of the saidoperations upon a diminution of the controlling pressure.

8. In a valve of the character specified having mechanism adapted to begiven a plurality of operations of different characters to control thevalve passage, a pressurecontrollable diaphragm controlling the saidmechanism and permitting itto be given one of the said operations upon adiminution of the cont-rolling pressure.

9. A valve having a plug normally seated in a seat, means for manuallyraising the plugfrom its seat, means for holding the plug out of itsseat including, a diaphragm carried by the plug, the latter having apassage therethrough to the diaphragm whereby the diaphragm is connectedwith the inlet passage of the valve when the plug is unseated, andspring mechanism under control of the diaphragm and tending to seat theplug, a diminution of the fluid pressure causing the diaphragm to permitthe said spring mechanism to automatically seat the plug.

10. A valve having a plug and a seat therefor, means whereby the plugmay be raised from its seat and turned to control the valve passage, apair of arms for holding the plug out of its seat, spring mechanismtending to seat the plug, a diaphragm carried by one end of the plug,the latter having a passage longitudinally therethrough whereby thediaphragm. is connected with the inlet passage of the valve when theplug is unseated, and mechanism having a toggle joint under control ofthe diaphragm whereby the said arms are held against operation when theplug is out of its seat, whereby the plug is held out of its seat, adiminution of the fluid pressure causing the diaphragm to permit ofoperation of the said toggle joint and the said arms, whereby the saidspring mechanism automatically seats the plug.

11. A valve having a casing with an annular passageway therein, a valveplug having a. pair of arms associated therewith and adapted to work inthe said passageway, and pressure-control]able mechanism controlling thesaid. arms and thereby controlling the operation of the said plug.

12. A valve having a casing with an an nular passageway therein, a valveplug having a pair of arms associated therewith and adapted to work inthe said passageway, spring mechanism adapted to operate the said plug,and pressure-controllable mech anism controlling the said arms-andthereby controlling the operation of the said plug.

13. A valve having a plug, a body portion, a pair of arms cooperatingwith the body portion for maintaining the plug in. a predeterl'ninedposition, and pressure-controllable mechanism controlling the said armsand thereby COIltI'OlliDg the operation of the said plu 14L. A valvehaving a plug, a body portion, a pair of arms cooperating with the bodyportion for maintaining the plug in a predetermined position, springmechanism adapted to operate the said plug, and pressure-controllablemechanism controlling the said arms and thereby controlling theoperation of the said plug.

15. In a valve having a casing, valve-controlling mechanism having apair of arms cooperating with the valve casing, the said arms beingcrossed over each other whereby accidental striking thereof acts againstop erating them.

16. In a valve having a plug and a body portion, a pair of armscooperating with the body portion for maintaining the plug in apredetermined position, the said arms being crossed over each otherwhereby accidental striking thereof acts against operating them.

17. In a valve having a plug and a seat therefor, means whereby the plugmay be raised from its seat to open the valve, a pair of armscooperating with the valve casing for holding the plug out of its seat,spring mechanism tending to seat the plug, a diaphragm carried by oneend of the plug, the latter having a passage longitudinally therethroughwhereby the diaphragm is connected with the inlet passage of the valvewhen the plug is unseated, and link mechanism having a toggle jointunder control of the diaphragm whereby the said arms are held a ainst 0eration when the lu is unz: p a

seated, a diminution of the fluid pressure causing the diaphragm topermit of operation of the mechanism under its control whereby the saidspring mechanism is permitted to seat the plug.

18. In a valve having a plug and a seat therefor, means whereby the plugmay be raised from its seat to open the valve, a pair of arms forholding the plug out of its seat, spring mecl'ianism tending to seat theplug,a diaphragm carried by one end of the plug, the latter having apassage longitudinally therethrough whereby the diaphragm is connectedwith the inlet passage of the valve when the plug is unseatcd, andmechanism under control of the diaphragm whereby the said arms are heldagainst operation when the plug is unseated, a diminution of the fluidpressure causing the diaphragm to permit of operation of the mechanismunder its control whereby the said spring mechanism is permitted to seatthe plug.

19. In a valve of the cha 'acter specified having mechanism adapted tobe given a plurality of operations of different characters to controlthe valve passage, nessurecontrollable mechanism controlling one of thesaid operations of the first said. mechanism and permitting the latterto be given this operation upon a diminution of the controllingpressure.

As inventor of the foregoing I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day0t September, 1909.

F. tEDEItICK R. PARKER lVitnesses MICHAEL J. STARK, S. M. JEFFREY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, I). 0.

